Sophie Huget: Faces of #MakeMusicHartford
May 31, 2019
Imagine the millions of ball bearings that allow countless machinery to run smoothly, or Stanley Black & Decker, the multi-billion dollar corporation with humble beginnings as Stanley Works…where did it all start? New Britain, Connecticut! New Britain Industrial Museum Executive Director Sophie Huget can tell you about the ins and outs of New Britain’s five major industries (electric percolators included), and participants in Make Music Hartford will be able to experience some of the museum’s collection firsthand in the Industrial Music Roadshow! Think STOMP, but on a smaller, more portable scale.
What is your instrument(s)? If not a singer/musician, what is your connection to the arts?
I am a singer, but lately I have been eagerly watching volunteers for the New Britain Industrial Museum create instruments using New Britain-made found objects.
What do you do other than the arts – professionally? Hobbies?
My hobbies mostly align with my museum career. I co-coordinate Drinking About Museums – Hartford (a fun museum professional networking group), am a part of the Connecticut League of History Organizations, visit as many museums as I can, and go antiquing. Extra-professional hobbies include painting while watching documentaries.
What drew you to MMH?
Make Music Hartford makes music more accessible and highlights how many different ways there are to be a musician.
What drew you to Hartford and what is making you stay?
Hartford’s close knit community of makers and thinkers that challenge each other to make positive change is inspirational. Knowing just how many people want to see Hartford succeed makes me want to stay.
What is your favorite genre(s) of music?
I like 60s Pop and 90s Rock, and will happily listen to anything people are excited to share with me.
Top 3 favorite things about Hartford:
The food, the parks, and the museums
Fun fact:
I can bake a mean pie.
What part of MMH are you most looking forward to?
I am most excited to see how others use the objects we bring to MMH.
Hopes/dreams/wishes for Hartford:
Hartford is a beautiful city with dedicated, interesting people. I hope we can keep translating these qualities to people in surrounding communities.
Photo credit for “The Faces of Make Music Hartford” photo series: Mike Marques Photo
https://www.marquesphoto.com/